The Los Angeles Lakers entered free agency with several holes to fill, particularly in the frontcourt and on the perimeter.

Just days into the offseason, general manager Rob Pelinka has aggressively reshaped the roster, adding size, shooting and backcourt depth as the franchise prepares for its first season in the post-LeBron James era.

The biggest move came when the Lakers acquired center Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a blockbuster sign-and-trade.

At point guard, Dončić remains the centerpiece of the franchise with Austin Reaves next to him in the backcourt.

The two are expected to continue functioning as the Lakers’ primary offensive engine, with Dončić running the majority of the half-court creation while Reaves operates as both a secondary initiator and off-ball scorer.

Behind them, Collin Sexton will be the lead guard off the bench, while Bronny James remains in a developmental role.

For now, Quentin Grimes is projected to step directly into a starting role after signing in free agency.

His emergence as a reliable two-way contributor last season gives the Lakers a needed perimeter defender who can also space the floor alongside Dončić and Reaves.

Dalton Knecht brings scoring punch and shooting versatility off the bench, while rookie Adou Thiero adds athleticism, defensive potential and energy as a developing rotation piece. Cameron Carr rounds out the young wing group as a long-term project with upside.

The frontcourt has undergone a complete reshaping. Sandro Mamukelashvili is expected to start at power forward, offering a unique blend of size, mobility and perimeter skill that should help open the floor for Dončić’s driving lanes and pick-and-roll game.

Jarred Vanderbilt remains one of the team’s most important defensive pieces, providing versatility across multiple frontcourt positions and serving as a key connective defender off the bench.

Jake LaRavia also factors into the rotation after joining the Lakers last offseason, giving the team additional shooting and positional flexibility.

At center, Walker Kessler is slated to take over as the starter following his arrival in the blockbuster trade with Utah. One of the league’s top young rim protectors, Kessler brings elite interior defense, rebounding and lob finishing, addressing a long-standing weakness for L.A.

Behind him, Deandre Ayton gives the Lakers one of the strongest backup center options in the league, supplying starting-level production, interior scoring and size to maintain balance when Kessler rests or we might even see Ayton and Kessler lineups.

Point Guard

Shooting Guard

Small Forward

Power Forward

Center

On paper, the Lakers have meaningfully upgraded both their starting five and overall depth.

The additions of Kessler, Ayton, Grimes, Sexton and Mamukelashvili directly address the team’s most pressing needs, while the returning core provides continuity around Dončić and Reaves.